Ireland Man jailed for three months over Buncrana church theft
On 26 January 2026, a break-in occurred at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana, Co Donegal, where collection boxes were reportedly stolen. Gardaí on patrol came across Gheorghe Zoltan, a 49-year-old Romanian man, and another man at an Applegreen filling station, and searching them found bolt-cutters and more than €250 in cash they could not account for. Zoltan was charged with stealing property belonging to Fr Francis Bradley and, after remanding in custody since his arrest, appeared at Letterkenny District Court. Judge Emile Daly sentenced him to three months in prison, as reported in February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Collection boxes were reportedly stolen from St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana.
- Where
- The break-in took place at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana, Co Donegal.
- When
- The break-in took place on 26 January 2026.
- The sentencing was reported on 17 February 2026 in one source and on 18 February 2026 in the article text.
- Investigation
- Gardaí came across Gheorghe Zoltan and another man at an Applegreen filling station while on patrol.
- CCTV from the church showed Zoltan and another man inside.
- Weapon
- When searched, the two men had bolt-cutters and more than €250 in cash they could not account for.
- Other details
- Gardaí said it took the men seven minutes and 20 seconds to remove cash from church envelopes.
- When charged, Zoltan said he was sorry.
- His solicitor said Zoltan had been on remand on these charges since his arrest.
- Zoltan is already serving a suspended prison sentence for church break-ins in the Cork and Kerry areas.
- Charges
- Zoltan, a 49-year-old Romanian man, was charged with stealing property belonging to Fr Francis Bradley.
- The charge was brought under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
- In court
- Zoltan appeared at Letterkenny District Court accompanied by prison officers.
- Sentence
- Judge Emile Daly sentenced Zoltan to three months in prison.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA number of collection boxes were stolen from the church. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWhen searched, the men had bolt-cutters and more than €250 in cash they could not account for. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe break-in was at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe break-in at St Mary's Oratory took place on January 26, 2026. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí came across Zoltan and another man at an Applegreen filling station while on patrol. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationCCTV from the church showed Zoltan and another man inside. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeZoltan was charged with stealing property belonging to Fr Francis Bradley. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe charge was brought under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (donegallive.ie)
- courtZoltan appeared at Letterkenny District Court accompanied by prison officers. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceJudge Emile Daly sentenced Zoltan to three months in prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherGardaí said it took the men seven minutes and 20 seconds to remove cash from church envelopes. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWhen charged, Zoltan said he was sorry. (donegallive.ie)
- otherZoltan is already serving a suspended prison sentence for church break-ins in the Cork and Kerry areas. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHis solicitor said Zoltan had been on remand on these charges since his arrest. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Feb2026Man who stole over €250 from Buncrana church is jailed
Reports the sentencing of Gheorghe Zoltan at Letterkenny District Court. Adds the court appearance, the charge and statute, the CCTV evidence, the time taken to remove the cash, the defendant's prior suspended sentence, the remand period, and the mitigation put forward for him.
convicted, Gheorghe Zoltan, 49, male, Romanian, named, non-irishGheorghe Zoltan